Tough district presents challenge for state berths

CEDAR RAPIDS - A major challenge awaits for the tennis players competing in the boys district meet at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center.

The six-team field for the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A district Thursday consists of top players from four of the top Mississippi Valley Conference programs, competing for two singles and two doubles berths to the 2A state tournament. Play begins immediately after coaches and seeding meetings at 8:30 a.m. 

Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Washington, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Iowa City West and Linn-Mar will battle in one of eight 2A districts.

"In my 10 years, this is by far the toughest," West Coach Mitch Gross said. "You have four of the top six teams in the state."

The field includes five of Eastern Iowa's seven returning 2010 state placewinners. Washington's Charlie Hammond and Mitch Blades were runners-up in state doubles, while Tyler McCann and Mitch Anderson, who is now at Washington, were sixth for Linn-Mar. Trojans sophomore Kyle Appel was sixth in singles. With only two berths available for both singles and doubles, some state caliber players will be forced to watch the state meet as a fan.

"This district is absolutely loaded," Linn-Mar Coach Chris Wundram said. "There are guys that aren't going to advance who could place at state."

The tough competition forces coaches to factor in all variables when deciding which two players will play singles and who teams for two spots in doubles play. Not only are individual goals at stake but so is the team's postseason advancement. The top three in team points at the district meet, qualify for team substate competition.

"It's a difficult choice," Wundram said. "There's a lot of strategy to it."

Each round of the 12-person bracket promises good matchups. Gross said the luck of the draw could benefit some players, especially when a deep run by one player can help elevate his team. It still boils down to allowing players to compete at their best.

"You still have to gfo with strengths," Gross said. "Tomorrow is going to be very competitive."

Preliminary substate play is Saturday and the state singles and doubles tournament is May 27-28 at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center in Cedar Rapids.